Setting
new personal bests in individual and relay events has been a crucial focus for
the Jordan High School track team for 2017. The Beetdiggers have worked since
late winter on weekly improvement in hopes that the team will be well
represented at the region and state meets to culminate the long season.

“We
set out to have as many athletes as possible improve and set personal bests.
Our goal is to have as many kids as we can for region and state,” said Jordan
head coach, Kenneth Damron.

According
to Damron, one of Jordan’s biggest strengths is work ethic. And, while many of
the boys and girls on the team gripe about certain workouts, they never fail to
push themselves as hard as they can during their least favorite exercises.

“Our
athletes are extremely hard workers and want to get better at their events,”
the coach said.

The
team’s practices are broken into three different areas. Sprinters, distance
runners and throwers are separated into groups so each area of specialization
can work on specific things that need to be addressed for an upcoming meet.

“Each
group has a unique way of approaching practice that allows them to have a
detailed focus,” Damron said.

This
year’s team is being led by many returning athletes. Seniors Spencer Curtis and
Isaiah Jackson are both of the top male sprinters the Beetdiggers have. Collette
Batty, a senior, and Daisy Lal, a junior, are two of the fastest sprinters
Jordan has to represent the girls team. Senior Hannah Dutson is the distance-running
portion of the team’s leader, setting a positive example for all of those
around her. Nicole Freestone, a junior, and Pharoah Davis, a senior, have taken
the reins for the field events this season, which include throwing.

The
team’s focus on beating individual bests and working hard is an approach the
coach has taken to combat the fact that Jordan doesn’t have one of the largest
programs in 5A. Historically, the Beetdiggers have qualified many athletes for
the annual state tournament by sticking to individual improvement as opposed to
performance expectations for the whole team.

“We
are a smaller team, so competing for a state title is probably out of reach.
They all have set a high standard of practicing hard every day and pushing
themselves to get better,” said Damron. “We go about achieving these goals by
showing up for practice every day and working as hard as we could.”

Jordan
hopes the individual success they have seen over the years continues for 2017.
And, if the Beetdiggers stay on top of their regimens, they should have a
strong showing at the state track meet at BYU. Jordan has an array of
experienced athletes who are returning in 2017 after a productive 2016. The
program may not be the largest around, but those who compete are just as hungry
as anyone else, just as capable, because they work just as hard, according to
their coach.

“The
thing that has made me the most proud has been how hard this group of athletes
has worked,” Damron said. “They have shown the ability to work as hard as
anyone.”